warm water action

Hi Folks, Been keeping out of trouble the last few days running my boat with guests on several Vermont lakes. Visited 3 different bodies of water the last two days in pursuit of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and northern pike. My anglers have been a combination of fly and spin. Water temperatures have been between 58 and 64 degrees. Water levels are up everywhere. It has been a pretty wet spring. Our big rivers are above seasonal average flows. We need the rain as things have been dry for the last couple of years. We have been working mostly shore line areas for bass and pike. The most productive areas have been the sharp drops where depth goes from 2' or so to 10' plus. For spinning lures the good old perch Rapala has been really consistent. Pike have been receptive to a large clown nose tipped Husky Jerk. 4" and 5" watermelon Senkos have been consistent. The fly fishing has been really good. I have had clients casting a 9' 9wt with a Rio sinking pike line. Easy casting line that keeps the fly in the zone longer than a floating line. A white 1/0 cone headed White Deceiver has been a steady fly pattern. A 3/0 chartreuse and white Deceiver has also been steady for the pike. Not much for a surface bite with the fly. Though most of the strikes you seen as the fly moves up in the water column. Vermont has a good diversity of fish to pursue whether it be with the fly rod or conventional tackle. Off to to trout fish in the am. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy

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